Class #21: Monday& Wednesday, November 30, 2016: The Final Paper Prompt

Final Essay #6: 

Gender/Sex Issues. We have experienced & read a variety of gender issues (from sex to inequality) this semester.  We read several articles on redefining sexual predation in our own communities. We read one devastating piece of fiction about violence toward women. We read about a woman who gets her family killed through her own visions of matriarchy. We heard celebrity women join forces to defend women in media. We have viewed a call to arms against objectification. We have read fiction that tackles marriage, online dating, abortion and statutory rape. Most prominently, we have read about revolutionary legislation on college campuses to curb victimization of women. We have seen this legislation wind its way to the Garden State.

I have shared my belief that yours is a generation experiencing some degradation in terms of gender or sexual roles. Women are overly valued aesthetically but undervalued as leaders, professionals and artists. Women are succeeding ten times more than men in academia, but they still play second-fiddle to men in the world's most powerful professional positions.


From social media-driven sexual tragedy on the internet to revenge porn, (check out endrevengepron.org) your generations faces challenges in sexuality and gender inequality that my generation couldn't have imagined. Gender roles are mired in technological progression and social ambivalence (check out Spike Jonze's award-winning movie Her for more on this).

While there are some bright spots, (from a growing acceptance of homosexuality to the very real possibility of a woman in the White House), the news tends to be negative. Even if you disagree with my thesis that misogyny is at an all-time high, it is difficult to deny that sex and gender issues have assumed an undeniable spotlight in current events.

Unravel all of the documents out there and write a piece that takes a stand on any of a number of sexual or gender issues. From date rape on campus ("Yes Means Yes" is a hot topic right now and prime for plpucking, to sexually-motivated cyber-bullying, from sexting to "the glass ceiling" -- even the well documented changes in gay marriage and civil union laws -- ANY topic in the realm of sex, gender or social roles can be turned into an argumentative thesis. But your paper MUST take a stand on an issue in this arena. And it MUST POSE solutions to a particular problem. You must find an issue and take A SIDE. Work to find something that moves you. I have given you weeks to accomplish this well. 

Here is one of the many great, academic starting points available to do this research. 

Then there's this. 

Paper should be approx. 5 pages typed. Paper should follow COMPLETE APA formatting for each element: Title page, abstract, in-text citations and references page. Hacker can help. Or try this. Or this. 

Please do not use more than 1" margin. Please do not use a wacky font larger than 12pt. depending on the font. Use the default setting in MS Word, and there should be no problems. 

Craft a well-developed argument, shape that argument into a good thesis. Back your argument with a variety of evidence from credible sources (you must have at least five, THREE MUST be academic/scholarly/peer reviewed). 

Devise claims for your argument based on the different types of appeals, supports, evidence and elements of quality discussed in class. Blend DQs with summary and paraphrase (think of it as a DQ sandwich). Include a divisive introduction and background paragraphs.

I will be using the university's rubric for the paper. 

SOME NOTES: 

End this introductory section with your thesis (or answer to your research question...should be its own paragraph).

Body = Background & Support

Background: The EXPLAIN PART (from the prompt...the who, what, when and where of your topic, a few paragraphs)

SUPPORT: The PROPOSE & JUSTIFY  part from the prompt. The specific paragraphs of support for your thesis. Present your evidence and direct support to back your thesis.

• All information taken from sources needs to be cited (not just quotations)

• Use APA system of in-text citations (see your Rules for Writers)

• Use quotations only where necessary. Better to summarize information and discuss how it becomes evidence when married to your point.

• Each paragraph should have a topic sentence and show unity.

• Each paragraph will contain at least one citation identifying where you got your information.

• This is your chance to SHINE on the fact that our multiple revisions have not been a total waste.

• Include a formal Works Cited page, following the models in Hacker in APA style.